Geographic Information System Platform Research Articles

Use of geographical information systems (GIS) in assessing ecological profile, fish community structure and production of a large reservoir of Himachal Pradesh.

The present study demonstrates the spatial analysis and mapping of fish and different measures of environmental parameters and fish diversity of Pong reservoir, Himachal Pradesh, using Kriging spatial interpolation methods for geographical information system mapping. Seasonal data on environmental parameters, potential fish habitat and fish diversity was collected from lentic (dam), lentic (reservoir), transitional and lotic zone of the reservoir.. Important environmental parameters like water temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, water depth and transparency showed variations across the different zones of the reservoir. The sediment of the reservoir was sandy clay loam in nature as per texture analysis. Fish species richness, Shannon index and evenness index showed a similarity of the lotic and lentic (reservoir) zones of the reservoir. Six potential fish breeding grounds were identified in the reservoir indicating high conservation significance. The analysis of data showed a declining trend in fish production from 456.9 tonnes during the decade 1976-1987 to 347.91 tonnes during 2009-2020. The factors like anthropogenic climate change, predation of a stocked fish juvenile by water birds, undersized fish stocking and unscientific management are the probable reasons for the decreasing fish production. The spatial variation pattern of the water spread area, environmental parameters, fish catch and potential fish breeding grounds depicted in the GIS platform can be used as an important information base by the policy makers for fisheries management. The stocking of large size fish as a stocking material and adequate protection of the potential fish breeding grounds are the key advisories for the sustainable enhancement of fisheries as well as conservation.

A GIS-Based Hydrogeological Approach to the Assessment of the Groundwater Circulation in the Ischia Volcanic Island (Italy)

Assessing the variations in space and time of groundwater circulation in volcanic islands is of paramount importance to the description of the hydro-geo-thermal system and implementation of hydrogeological, geochemical, and volcanic monitoring systems. In fact, the reliable reconstruction of the groundwater potentiometric surface in such composite volcanic aquifer systems can enable the identification of the most advantageous strategies for both the sustainable use of groundwater resources and the management of volcanic risk. Geographical Information System (GIS) platforms can support the integration and analysis of many spatial and temporal variables derived from monitoring of active volcanoes and the elaboration of spatially continuous data. However, open issues still affect the reliability and general applicability of common spatial interpolation methods in the case of groundwater potentiometric surfaces. This is related to the assessment of the main stratigraphic and volcano-tectonic features affecting the hydraulic head changes. With regard to the dynamically very active Ischia Island (Italy), this study illustrates a GIS-based hydrogeological approach to identify the most accurate interpolation method for mapping the potentiometric surface in complex hydrogeological terrains. The proposed approach has been applied to the existing dataset (1977–2003) stored by Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia. Based on a careful geological and hydrogeological survey, a total of 267 wells, from 5 to 250 m in depth, were processed. The data pre-processing involved four meteorological time-series data (1922–1997) and six long records of piezometric water levels (1930–1994). As a result, knowledge of the delineation of rather homogeneous stratigraphic and volcano-tectonic structures at the basin-scale has improved. Thus, new, more reliable potentiometric surfaces of the four main geothermal areas closest to the coast were produced during both dry and wet seasons. The reliability of the processed potentiometric surface was then validated by comparing the spatially continuous data with complementary field data. These findings point toward an optimal interpolation approach for representing the seasonal and areal distribution of main hydrogeological parameters in complex aquifer systems. Finally, insights into variations of hydrological behavior at an active volcanic area will foster an understanding of possible involvement of fresh and thermal waters in triggering phreatic explosions.

Vulnerability of land use/cover associated with human-wildlife conflicts in Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka

Human-wildlife conflict has increased over the decades and is now considered one of the most severe challenges to the survival of threatened species and the livelihood of communities worldwide. In Sri Lanka, population growth, fragmentation of land, and conversion of natural wildlife habitats into settlement and agricultural areas are the leading causes of human-wildlife conflict. This study seeks to characterise the conflict pattern in the Mullaitivu District by identifying land use/cover changes and assessing the vulnerability of land use/cover. Primary data were collected through a field survey using a structured questionnaire and direct observation methods, and secondary data on land use/cover changes were obtained from remote sensing images. These data were analysed statistically and on the Geographic Information System (GIS) platform. The study reveals land use/cover vulnerability status over the twenty-six years. Dense forests are on the decline, and wild animals migrate into human settlements and agricultural sites, resulting in different types of human-wildlife conflict such as crop damage, livestock depredation, and loss of life and/or injuries to both people and wildlife in the Mullaitivu district. People employ various wildlife mitigation strategies. However, they cannot safeguard their crops or livestock from these animals. By implementing appropriate management measures to avoid wildlife infiltration into human settlements, the human-wildlife conflict in the Mullaitivu district can be minimised.

Landslide’s analysis and Hazard mapping based on ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS (AHP) using GIS, in Lawas, Sabah-Sarawak

This research was conducted to establish a landslides hazard map in a district called Lawas in Malaysia’s Sabah–Sarawak region using the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) methods. Several landslides conditioning factors in the area were identified and used to build the AHP matrix. The landslides triggering factor(s) of the area was observed to be rainfall based on previous investigation reports for landslides in the regions and the landslides history records. The weightage values for the conditioning factors were assigned considering the contributions of each factor as observed from the spatial data analysis. These landslides’ conditioning factors were; slope, aspect, soil type, SPI, STI, rainfall intensity, elevation, Profile curvatures, and lithology. Satellite images constituted the primary part of the database used for the AHP analysis. GIS tools such as ArcMap were also utilized to read and analyze the remotely sensed data for the analysis. The susceptibility or hazard map was finally developed using ArcMap software through weighted overlay in a GIS (Geographic Information System) platform. The hazards map was later formulated by reclassifying the landslides susceptibility maps. Overall, the study revealed that all factors collected were very influential to landslides occurrence in the study area and that the AHP method was also discovered to be effective.

Application of GIS Technique to Assess the Habbaniya Lake Water for Human Consumption

Geographic Information System (GIS) technique was used in this study to produce a Water Quality Index (WQI) map to assess the water of Habbaniya Lake for drinking purposes. Sixteen samples of fresh surface water were collected and analyzed to verify the physiochemical parameters of the WQI. These parameters include Total Dissolved Solids, pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Sulfate, and Nitrates. The result of these parameters has been transferred to the GIS platform to construct a water quality database and map of spatial distribution for each parameter using the inverse distance weight (IDW technique). The results of these parameters were also used to calculate irrigation water quality index values, and transferred to the GIS platform for the production of the water quality index map. The spatial distribution index of drinking water in Habbaniya Lake is depicted on this map. It shows that WQI for all water samples is within the second category (50-100) except (S 5 and S 8) below the second category (<50). The short-scope of WQI indicates that the water quality of Habbaniya Lake has been considered as convergent water quality that fluctuated from excellent water to good water for human drinking. It shows also that the northwestern part of Habbaniya Lake waters is more appropriate for drinking since the Al-Warar Canal drains in this part, which takes its water mainly from the Euphrates River.

Spatial analyses of smart energy system implementation through system dynamics and GIS modelling. Wind power case study in Latvia

Major concern in utilising renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, is their intermittent nature. Therefore, whether they can be reliable energy sources to provide uninterrupted energy demand when reaching a high share of renewable energy in the system depends on the whole energy supply network. Higher flexibility of RES-based systems can be reached through the development of smart energy concepts.The system dynamics model coupled with a geographical information system platform has been used to analyse space and time dimensions of RES potential using geo-referenced information. This approach allows analysing the whole energy system by determining the best-suited development scenario for each region separately, based on their resource, economic, and technological capabilities. Furthermore, the system dynamics model is complemented with different policies to evaluate their impact on renewable and local energy resource development and economic potential. The results show that the potential for large-scale onshore wind farm capacities with suitable land conditions could be around 5.5 GW, but the forecasted necessary wind power capacity to reach climate neutrality in 2050 is 1.55 GW. Therefore, onshore wind turbines should be promoted to move toward a smart and renewable power system in Latvia.

On the Use of MATLAB to Import and Manipulate Geographic Data: A Tool for Landslide Susceptibility Assessment

Most of the methods for landslide susceptibility assessment are based on mathematical relationships established between factors responsible for the triggering of the phenomenon, named the conditioning factors. These are usually derived from geographic data commonly handled through Geographical Information System (GIS) technology. According to the adopted methodology, after an initial phase conducted on the GIS platform, data need to be transferred to specific software, e.g., MATLAB, for analysis and elaboration. GIS-based risk management platforms are thus sometimes hybrid, requiring relatively complex adaptive procedures before exchanging data among different environments. This paper describes how MATLAB can be used to derive the most common landslide conditioning factors, by managing the geographic data in their typical formats: raster, vector or point data. Specifically, it is discussed how to build matrices of parameters, needed to assess susceptibility, by using grid cell mapping units, and mapping them bypassing GIS. An application of these preliminary operations to a study area affected by shallow landslides in the past is shown; results show how geodata can be managed as easily as in GIS, as well as being displayed in a fashionable way too. Moreover, it is discussed how raster resolution affects the processing time. The paper sets the future development of MATLAB as a fully implemented platform for landslide susceptibility, based on any available methods.

Advanced GIS-based Multi-Function Support System for Identifying the Best Route

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are obtaining a significant role in handling strategic applications in which data are organized as records of multiple layers in a database. Furthermore, GIS provide multi-functions like data collection, analysis, and presentation. Geographic information systems have assured their competence in diverse fields of study via handling various problems for numerous applications. However, handling a large volume of data in the GIS remains an important issue. The biggest obstacle is designing a spatial decision-making framework focused on GIS that manages a broad range of specific data to achieve the right performance. It is very useful to support decision-makers by providing GIS-based decision support systems that significantly reduce the cost involved when moving between two locations. Therefore, in this paper, an advanced decision support system is built for identifying the best route between two locations according to various criteria such as distance, travel time, the safety of the road, and other features. The proposed model includes several stages; Google Maps downloading, preprocessing, integrating with the database, and identifying the best route by utilizing advanced algorithms of artificial intelligence. Furthermore, the Open Street Maps (OSM) database is utilized in this model and implemented using the Quantum Geographic Information Systems (QGIS) platform. One of the main merits of this model is to be faster by removing the influence of non-processed data like null values and unlinked roads on offline google maps levels. The outcomes of this proposed model display the best route which connects the source with the destination, and a table including the entire information for this route.

THE IFC FILE FORMAT AS A MEANS OF INTEGRATING BIM AND GIS: THE CASE OF THE MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF UNDERGROUND NETWORKS

Abstract. The construction sector is undergoing an important digital revolution. The integration between Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Geographical Information System (GIS) is a key component of this revolution and is increasingly discussed. Although benefits are already recognised, several challenges still remain. The purpose of this paper is to present the method proposed by the GEOBIMM project to overcome the existing barriers towards the integration between BIM and GIS domains and to present the first results applied to the maintenance of underground networks. The results are a set of guidelines essential for the integration of BIM files in GIS platforms within the GEOBIMM domain, to ensure: the appropriate geometric description of the elements; the correct georeferencing; the geospatial semantic and topological interoperability between the two systems; the appropriate definition of the information parameters. These pillars are further used to develop a guideline for planners and construction companies supporting them in developing compliant BIM models.

The Optimization Model of E-Commerce Logistics Distribution Path Based on GIS Technology

The optimization of the e-commerce logistics distribution path has always been an important research object in intelligent control. Based on the geographic information system (GIS) platform, this paper proposes an improved ant colony algorithm for the logistics distribution path optimization model based on the GIS platform. Firstly, ArcGIS software is used to solve the problem of complex networks and realize the selection and output of optional routes. Secondly, the basic ant colony algorithm is improved, and a dynamic path planning method combining global planning information and local planning is proposed. It mainly includes the improvement of the heuristic function and the improvement of the update method of pheromone. Finally, through simulation experiments and case validation experiments, it is concluded that the improved algorithm outperforms the traditional ant colony algorithm. In the case validation part, a local area of Beijing is selected to simulate a natural distribution environment, and the path optimization experiments are validated by building an actual road network model. The results show that the model can plan the optimal path for logistics distribution according to the road congestion. The data analysis shows that the route optimization model proposed in this paper can effectively reduce the distribution cost of enterprises, increase vehicle loading, and increase the profit and industry competitiveness of logistics enterprises.

Towards adoption of mobile data collection for effective adaptation and climate risk management in Africa

AbstractThe collection and use of data on climate change and its impacts are crucial for effective climate adaptation and climate risk management. The revolution in internet access, technology and costs has led to a shift from using traditional paper‐based data collection to the use of Mobile Data Collection using Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) such as smartphones and tablets. In this paper, we report our experiences using both approaches for a household and business survey during a climate adaptation study in two Nigerian cities—Makurdi and Calabar. The focus of this paper is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of using traditional paper‐based data collection and PDAs as data collection tools for climate change study in African societies. In Calabar, data were collected using paper questionnaires, while in Makurdi the questionnaires were developed on Open Data Kit (ODK) and administered using PDAs. Results show that data collection using PDA was faster, cheaper, more accurate and resulted in fewer omissions than paper‐based data collection. There was a time saving of four (4) minutes per questionnaire and a 24% cost saving when using PDA. PDA provides additional benefits where platforms can collect images, videos and coordinates. This significantly improved the credibility of the data collection process and provided further data that allowed for the mapping of environmental phenomena by linking survey research with geo‐referenced data in a geographic information systems platform to provide spatial representations of social and environmental system convergence. PDA offers a tool for collecting data that will make necessary socio‐environmental data available in a faster, reliable and cheaper manner; future research can build on this study by discovering other possible but less highlighted benefits of PDA. Although, with great benefits, there are lessons to be learnt and issues to consider when deploying PDA in large‐scale household surveys.

Folate availability in the rat embryo: Implications in maternal diabetes and its modulation by mTOR

A better understanding of how the spatial configuration of cities, understood as urban structure and forms, can achieve sustainable development is needed. This paper presents spatial data and an automated workflow for studying the urban structures (i.e., road and transportation networks) and forms (i.e., building size, position, function and density) of two medium-sized European cities - Bergen, Norway and Zürich, Switzerland. The data focuses on examining correlations between the densification patterns and transport energy usage of these cities de Koning et al., (2020). Spatial and tabular datasets for (i) urban structures, (ii) urban forms, (iii) building density, (iv) road centre lines and (v) transport energy usage are obtained as georeferenced files from OpenStreetMap (OSM) and upon request from collaborating local and national authorities. Transport energy data is derived from traffic data collected from the Norwegian Public Road Authorities or simulated via a traffic model. Open-source data is used wherever possible. Data gaps within proprietary data are supplemented with proxies or open-source data.Hand-drawn axial maps drawn by the authors using the Space Syntax methods and analysed via depthmapX software are a crucial dataset presented here. All analysed data are then returned to a Geographical Information System (GIS) platform and processed via an automated workflow of 19 steps built via the ModelBuilderTM tool in ESRI® ArcGIS. The automated workflow allows for repetitive cross-city comparison and the compilation of diverse spatial data sources for analysis.In combination with the novel workflow, the dataset can be used for future comparative studies in spatial planning, transport planning and management of energy systems to facilitate informed decision-making towards more sustainable developments.

Exploring Dynamic Street Vendors and Pedestrians through the Lens of Static Spatial Configuration in Yuncheng, China

Extensive studies have demonstrated the relationship between static street networks and dynamic pedestrian movement. Street vendors temporarily appear in a vibrant space, closely engaging with numerous pedestrians. Is street vending distribution related to street network configuration? And if so, in what ways? This study investigates the heterogeneous relationships between pedestrians, vendors and the urban and suburban places they inhabit in Yuncheng by contrasting two different types of pedestrian-driven maps. The vending distribution map was identified via semi-structured interviews with urban managers (n = 11) in 2017. The spatial network configuration was examined through space syntax segment angular analysis, containing Integration, Choice and Combined Centrality properties at macro-, meso- and micro-scales. By overlapping the distribution map to the syntactic maps in the Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) platform, our results show that street vending distribution is most related to the Choice property at the meso-scale. Using semi-structured interviews (n = 53) and observations at two specific sites, we further found relationships tend to be opposed in urban and suburban areas. The study provides an alternative approach to integrating quantitative and qualitative data, expanding the theoretical and empirical understanding of spatial configuration and urban street activities related to walking and vending. This understanding has the potential to contribute to the design of more liveable street spaces.

Suitability Prediction and Enhancement of Future Water Supply Systems in Barwon Region in Victoria, Australia

Intensive agricultural production accompanied by the climate change impacts in post-Colonial rural landscapes have continuously increased the demand for water resources and coastal areas, showing an unprecedented water supply crisis. By taking extreme weather conditions and rainfall events for future trends, a resilient water storage facility for the landscape requires the collaborative approach of natural systems and simulation modelling techniques to develop sustainable future scenarios. In this study, an ecological suitability model is used to identify potential sites for the construction of multi-purpose dams. As part of the model structure, multi factors are classified using the patterns of changing landscapes, and then weighted overlay analysis is conducted on a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform. Compared to previous studies, this paper derives its principal impact parameters and projections based on historical land cover information. The suitability maps that are generated visually guide the geographical location of the multi-purpose dams and indicate the areas from highly suitable to least suitable, clarifying the possibility of building blue infrastructure alongside the waterways in west-central Barwon. The workflow proposes a resilient water system based on existing land characteristics and measures that future water storage capacity will be a valid increase of approximately 1.5 times. This strategy alleviates water scarcity during the dry season to benefit traditional agricultural activities. Digital calculations are utilized to demonstrate the feasibility of the experimental results, providing a methodology for regulating the distribution and supply of river flows throughout the year while retaining runoff in a hierarchical pattern at precipitation periods.

Engineering Application of Landslide Susceptibility Mapping in Linear Engineering Optimization

Regional landslide susceptibility mapping has an important role in guiding linear engineering optimization. Based on the geographic information system (GIS) platform and R language MaxEnt software, in this research, the China National Highway 109 New Line Expressway (Beijing Sixth Ring Road-City Boundary Section) was taken as an example. Using the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model, with ten evaluation indicators, including the elevation, slope, aspect, relief, topographic wetness index (TWI), roughness, lithology, distance to road, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and land use type, a landslide susceptibility mapping was completed to support linear engineering optimization. The ROC value of the prediction model was 82.1%, and the %LRclass was 2.25, which strongly demonstrated the reliability of the landslide susceptibility mapping results. Then, the percentages of two roads with different landslide probability levels were calculated. It was found that only 10% of the new line was in a very high class, which was much lower than 26% of the existing line. This study proved that the regional landslide susceptibility mapping can be used to support optimization of the construction plan of the new line and provided a broader basis for decision-making for similar linear projects in future engineering projections.

The Geography of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Namibia

Spatial analysis of COVID-19 spread is an important tool for public health management, as a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform can support the entire process of infectious disease surveillance, preparedness and response. Consequently, this study applied regression analysis using r software and QGIS mapping to evaluate how COVID-19 infections are impacted by population dynamics, urbanisation, area temperature and tourism activities in Namibia. Study results revealed that, COVID-19 transmission is positively associated with urbanisation and negatively associated with temperature. Area population size is not associated with COVID-19 transmission. To reduce COVID-19 infections in Namibia, efforts need to be directed at minimising social and economic contact activities, particularly in urban areas. The Namibia society is also encouraged to adhere to the recommended COVID-19 public health measures such as social distancing of 1.5 meters apart and wearing of face masks in public spaces.

3D Campus Map Towards Sustainable Development and Infrastructure Management In UPNM

Abstract 3D technology is used in GIS maps to create descriptive graphics that accurately depict the size of real-world items. In a wide variety of various areas, 3D models aid in appearance and survey. For example, 3D maps may depict the height of a building or a mountain in addition to its location. 3D tools must be utilized in conjunction with 2D GIS and then visualized in a 3D environment. The current UPNM campus map accessible to students and staff is not sufficiently helpful and hardly identified its whereabouts. This project was undertaken to develop a web-based 3D campus map and analyze specifically the campus’s area zoning. This study uses a personal computer with Esri CityEngine software to develop the 3D campus map and ArcGIS Online to publish the web-based 3D campus map. The data was acquired by downloading the base map of UPNM from OpenStreetMap (OSM). Completion of data processing results in a web-based 3D UPNM campus map with area zoning. The finding shows that the 3D map, using the Geographical Information System (GIS) platform, is more informative and attractive than the 2D map due to the attribute and spatial data. In addition, the capabilities of the 3D map to visualize and show the campus area and area zoning in the map can be managed according to the structural information. All in all, it can be concluded that this web-based 3D map contributes towards the sustainability of the UPNM infrastructure and campus while facilitating campus maintenance and rehabilitation.

Geospatial and Temporal Studies on Climatic Parameters and Their Impact on Inland Fish Production: A Case Study

Climate change threatening the word food security including fisheries production. The current study aimed to find the relationship between different climatic variables and fish production by generating spatial maps. The climatic parameters data viz., mean maximum temperature; mean minimum temperature; total rainfall, and mean wind speed were plotted in GIS (Geographical Information System) platform and thematic mapping of it’s for all the districts of Maharashtra for the year 1975 and 2017 on quarter basis was done using QGIS 3.6.1. The thematic maps of the percentage change in parameters of all the quarters of the year 2017 and 1975 were done for all the zone of Maharashtra. In addition, the thematic maps of the percentage change in parameters along with fish production of all the quarters of the year 2017–18 for the year 2012 were done for all the zone. The sensitivity analysis of climatic parameters with inland fish production for Maharashtra state and all the seven zones were done using GAM (Generalized Additive Model). The mean maximum temperature (MMAX) and total monthly rainfall (TMRF) were found to the most significant factors in the prediction of inland fish production. The average increase in MMAX during the 2nd and 3rd quarters (April to September) was less than the average increase in MMAX during the 1st and 4th quarters, whereas, in case of rainfall an average decrease was estimated during the 2nd and 3rd quarter. The current study found that Nagpur and Pune were the two highest fish-producing regions, and Konkan and Aurangabad were the two least productive regions.

Transmission Line Planning Based on Artificial Intelligence in Smart Cities

With the development of smart cities, it is particularly important to realize scientific and reasonable planning of transmission lines as the backbone of the power transmission system. Through the geographic information system (GIS) platform, this paper obtains the geographic information of the planning area. Then, through the typical design cost of the 110 kV transmission line subvolume of the typical cost of the power transmission and transformation project of the State Grid Corporation and the local documents of the smart city planning area, this paper obtains the estimated cost of each grid after gridding in the smart city area. After that, the research uses the ant colony algorithm to search for the optimal transmission line route in the smart city. Finally, the achievements of primary economic and technical indexes are evaluated in transmission line planning of smart city.

An Integrated Web-Based GIS Platform for the Environmental Monitoring of Industrial Emissions: Preliminary Results of the Project

The European regulatory framework requires prior authorization for the use of plants and activities that may impact the environment, to ensure an adequate level of environmental and human health protection. Data on industrial wastewater, urban sewage, atmospheric emissions and waste management of installations subject to licenses generate interest among stakeholders (Environmental Protection Agencies, Police Forces, regions, provinces, municipalities, Local Health Authorities, operators, research bodies, citizens), but unfortunately, they are not properly digitized and processed, as they are often unavailable. Therefore, the main goal of this project is to provide a flexible, interactive and easy-to-use tool for stakeholders to allow them to consult these kinds of environmental data. For this purpose, a database integrated with a web-based Geographical Information System (GIS) platform to collect, manage and share pollutant emissions data, is currently being designed and developed. The web platform offers to users interconnected informative modules on required authorizations, license processes and analytical controls. Moreover, stored data from industries and on emissions are georeferenced and displayed in a web GIS map. Stakeholders have free but limited access to specific sections of the web platform, depending on their tasks. They can consult environmental data and GIS representations, download reports or documents and enter new data. This web application seeks to: (1) promote collaboration among stakeholders, (2) simplify the monitoring of an installation’s authorization status and industrial emissions trends, (3) optimize the environmental licensing procedures, (4) enhance the management of environmental control by the relevant authorities, (5) support health and environmental research, and (6) provide industries with innovative services for data transmission. To evaluate the performance and benefits of the newly-developed tool, a real-life pilot case has been applied using data from industries located in the Province of Ascoli Piceno (Marche region, Italy).